Hi all.

This is my first time actually posting even though I have visited the site many times for encouragement. I am coming up on my one year anniversary and have only lost 31 lbs. I began my journey at 248 lbs on Feb 22, 2007. It was very slow to begin with. I have the "large" 10 cc band and it took quite a while to actually feel some restriction. Then at one point I went from feeling restirction to nothing, right after getting a band fill. I don't think I will ever quite understand the human body . I am now at point where I feel restriction but the weight is not coming off. I am over the 10cc mark which my doctor says is okay for this band, but why isn't the weight coming off? I do not PB often..is this normal? My cousin who has lost 100lbs in two years says she PB's at least 3 times week. Should I compare myself?

I even started consistently at the gym once a week ( I know it's not much but I figured I had to start somewhere). I am desprately seeking the 199 mark. That will be a monumetus occasion! I guess I am frustrated because I spoke to a friend last week who had surgery a few weeks after me and she has already lost 50 lbs, and is under the 200 mark.

I really want the band to work to it's full potential. I hate to think that I went through surgery and still weigh over 200 lbs. It is sooooo disappointing.:eek:<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

Are you following the dietary guidelines given to you?

Diet and exercise is what I was told is the key. If I don't put my part of doing both combined and permanently the band will not work it's magic.

Try keeping a food journal to see what you are eating. Figure out your daily calorie intake, and be very honest. I like to lie to myself about what i eat, but when I am honest I can see why I am not losing.

The goal is NOT to PB!!! PBing means you are either eating to much or too fast or both. How much are you eating and is your diet heavy on carbs? Are you eating your Protein first, then veggies, then carbs if you have room? If your diet is heavy in carbs then you probably won't lose weight.

I also agree about tracking your intake on sites such as FitDay or other food journaling sites. It really helps to be able to see what you are eating. Keep your protein around 100 gms a day and your carbs around 30 gms.

Het Tdosal,

I know exactly how you feel. I've been banded for 2 years and I'm still very far from my goal, even though I'm doing a big effort in keeping up with my diet, making correct food choices, exercising (4 days at the gym + 2 days with long walks).

You shouldn't compare to other bandsters - it's quite frustrating to see that so many people loose very fast even without making an effort (I'm happy for them but very sad that the same thing doesn't happen to me...). I've had 8 fills and still did not reach that dreamed «sweet spot», and i'm going for my 9th fill early next week, so I'm still hoping something will happen. I once read that with the band loosing weight would be a 50/50 thing. I know I'm doing my part, but I don't think my band is doing its share, so I guess this means I still have to do a bigger and better effort to make it work. I hope I'll get there, I came a long way and this band is like my «last resort» against the extra weight, I've got too much at stake here and I'm not ready to quit.

Keeping a daily diary with your food intake is a good option.

hang in there,

niki

Thanks to all for the supportive words. I will continue to push through and be successful.

Niki - you do the same, hang in there and we will all get there!

I think I may have to start journaling too...it makes sense.

The thing is people focus to much on feeling restriction and not enough on eating correct. I am less then 2 months post op and down 65 lbs. It has not been easy. I go to the gym 4-5 days a week for 1 hour of cardio. I also am eating 800-1200 cal a day. That is it no snacking no soda very little carbs. I do nto have as much restriction as I should but I have learned to eat to live and not live to eat. You should start looking at all lables and working out 3 days a week start slow 15-30 min is all you need. I know it will work. I have a almost non existing matabolism but with the right caloric intake and exercise the weight will come off. Just keep your head up.

The band should not do all the work for you, it should be an aid to help you eat less and that is all. When you eat do you eat solid Protein FIRST and then eat other things? Do you eat things that are "easy" to eat because they are soft or greasy or do you eat things for their nutritional value?

Work out. Its the same as with your check book, if you dont have enough money you need to lower your bills and increase your income. Well with weight you need to increase your activity and make sure you are not eating too much or the wrong kind of calories.

Quit complaining that you have only lost 30 lbs and get a regular exercise routine and stick to it. Evaluate what you are really putting into your body by way of calories by using a site like sparkpeople.com to log your intake for a while. You CAN DO THIS but you have to put forth some effort.

If you want to lose more weight, you have to burn more calories.That means exercise for most people. The band is working great for me and i am in the gym four or five times a week. You have to do your part. Donna

How many calories a day are you eating?

There is a reason that most of us became overweight- we didn't have the greatest eating habits. Before I was banded I believed that I made GREAT food choices, (I am totally telling the truth.) and I couldn’t figure out why I was heavy. I blamed my weight on being hungry all the time- so I got the band. There I won't be hungry anymore! How many more times can a person be wrong? I was still hungry with the band- especially in the beginning; the only difference is now I was more accountable. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

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The greatest gift the band gave me was it forced me to examine my food choices. I don't have as much "real estate" in my stomach as I had before, so I can’t eat cake or cookies, which I ate a lot of before. I don't eat potato chips or drink high calorie beverages. I haven't had a chocolate bar in almost 4 months, and I used to eat one everyday, but that is probably because now I can't figure out where to fit it into my eating schedule. I ALWAYS eat my protein first...veggies second...and IF I have room then my carbs. <o:p></o:p>

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I also log my food AND my exercise. I exercise daily because I get a rush from knowing that my body is getting stronger and stronger. <o:p></o:p>

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I have never thrown up or PB'd- if I was doing that a couple times a week I would go to my doctor and get a un-fill, or change my eating habits. <o:p></o:p>

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Remember the band just levels our playing field. You have what it takes inside you to succeed. If you are not happy with your results then change your behavior...I am living proof it can be done!<o:p></o:p>

Good luck!<o:p></o:p>